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The HTC One (M7) is the Android phone behind the “ridiculous speaker” reputation. Its BoomSound system uses two amplified, front-facing speakers rather than the single bottom grille common on phones of its era. A 2013 review found it so loud that the writer routinely kept the volume below halfway—and useful enough to serve as an impromptu speaker for a small group.
Why the HTC One M7 sounds so different
HTC placed the One’s stereo speaker modules on the front of the phone, above and below the display. The sound projects toward the listener instead of into a desk, a palm or the back of the handset. That makes dialogue, music, ringtones and notifications easier to hear when the phone is sitting on a table, and the review specifically found it remained audible even when lying face down.
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The hardware is amplified, so BoomSound is not simply a pair of decorative openings. The reviewer asked, “Dual amplified front facing speakers – why did it take so long for someone to include these in a phone?” The practical benefit is obvious during a video, a hands-free call or a quick clip shown to several people: everyone is facing the sound rather than trying to find the phone’s small bottom grille.
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Is it actually loud?
Qualitatively, yes. The Droid Life review says, “I’m constantly having to keep the volume on the phone at under the half-bar mark or it’s just too damn loud.” No authoritative sound-pressure or decibel measurement is established for the M7, so that description should be treated as a reviewer’s listening impression, not a laboratory specification.
#1 Best Overall
- Display: 5.0-inches
- Camera: HTC UltraPixel
- Processor Speed: 2.3 GHz
- OS: Android 4.4.2 (KitKat)
- Unlocked cell phones are compatible with GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile as well as with GSM SIM cards (e.g. H20, Straight Talk, and select prepaid carriers). Unlocked cell phones will not work with CDMA Carriers like Sprint, Verizon, Boost or Virgin.
The same review says the One could stand alone as a “spurt-of-the-moment speaker” and impress a crowd. That is a realistic use case: a kitchen, hotel room or small gathering where you need background music immediately and do not want to pair a separate speaker.
What you give up for the speaker design
The M7’s audio hardware was its standout strength, not evidence that every part of the phone aged equally well. The 2013 review reports a 2,300mAh battery, an early 4-megapixel UltraPixel camera approach and frustrations with HTC Sense software.
Battery life
Under heavy mobile-data use, the reviewer reached roughly eight hours before the 15% warning. A normal day was reported at about 12–16 hours. Those figures describe a 2013 handset and an individual review pattern; battery health on surviving used units will vary substantially.
Rank #2
- carrier : T-Mobile ONLY
- Storage : 32 GB (actual memory available to use less due software)
- OS: Android
- Box includes : Phone, Charger , Cable and manual
Camera and software
The UltraPixel camera prioritized larger pixels over a high megapixel count. That was an unusual strategy at launch, but it does not change the phone’s age or its limited modern software prospects. Sense also drew criticism in the review, creating a familiar trade-off: excellent built-in audio paired with hardware and software compromises that matter more today than they did at launch.
Launch price, not a current buying price
The review lists the 32GB HTC One at $199 with a two-year contract and $575 unlocked. Those are launch-era US figures from 2013, not current second-hand prices. Availability, condition, battery health and software support can change the value of any used M7, and no current market price is established here.
How later “loud phone” designs compare
The M7 helped make front-facing phone audio memorable, but it was not the last attempt to make a handset double as a tiny sound system.
Rank #3
- 4G LTE: LTE 700 / 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100
- 4.7" Super LCD3 capacitive Multi-Touchscreen, HTC Sense UI v5, protective Corning Gorilla Glass 2
- Beats Audio sound enhancement
- 32GB internal memory storage, 2GB RAM
- Android v4.3 (Jelly Bean) OS, Quad-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300 processor
| Phone | Speaker approach | Other documented hardware | Main compromises or context |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTC One (M7) | Dual amplified front-facing BoomSound speakers | 2,300mAh battery; 4MP UltraPixel camera | 2013 hardware; Sense software frustrations; launch prices only |
| Razer Phone | Large front grilles and stereo speakers | Snapdragon 835, 8GB RAM, 1440p 120Hz display, 4,000mAh battery | Windows Central called them among the loudest smartphone speakers it had heard; grilles collect pocket dust, and the phone lacks wireless charging, an IP rating and a headphone jack |
| ZTE Nubia Music 2 | Oversized rear speaker, DTS:X Ultra and a 2.1-channel setup | 4GB RAM, 128GB storage, 6.7-inch 720p-class display advertised at 120Hz | Reviewed at about $85; positioned as a pocket sound system first and a conventional budget phone second |
Front-facing versus rear-facing sound
The M7 and Razer Phone aim their sound at you, which helps when the phone is on a desk or being watched by several people. The Nubia Music 2 takes a different route: its oversized rear speaker makes audio the defining budget feature, but the sound direction depends more on where the phone is placed. None of these descriptions supplies a comparable certified loudness number.
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Can the HTC One replace a Bluetooth speaker?
For a spontaneous, small-room listening session, the M7 can be good enough to avoid reaching for a separate speaker. Its front projection and high output are especially useful for speech and casual background music. It is not a substitute for a modern dedicated speaker when you need deep bass, long battery endurance, weather resistance or predictable support. The M7’s reported battery results and age make extended playback a different proposition from a short, improvised session.
Who should care about the M7 today?
- Audio-first retro-phone collectors: BoomSound is the defining reason to seek out the device.
- People who watch clips on a desk: Front-firing drivers are less easily muffled than a bottom or rear grille.
- Everyday smartphone buyers: The old battery, camera, software and uncertain used-market condition make it difficult to justify as a primary phone.
- Anyone shopping by measured loudness: There is no authoritative SPL figure in the cited material, so listen to a specific unit rather than trusting a decibel claim.
Bottom line on the “ridiculous speaker”
The HTC One (M7) earned the description because BoomSound solves a real problem: a phone that points its speakers toward the people listening. The output impressed contemporary reviewers and can still make the M7 unusually fun for quick playback. The “mostly” in the headline matters, though. You are accepting 2013 battery, camera and software compromises in exchange for one of the era’s most practical—and loudest-feeling—phone speaker designs.
Rank #4
- 3G/4G LTE connectivity
- Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) with HTC Sense
- 2.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core
- 5.0-inch Full HD 1080p with 440ppi display
- Dual camera with UltraPixel
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Android phone had the famous BoomSound speakers?
The HTC One (M7), released in 2013, used dual amplified front-facing speakers marketed as BoomSound.
Can the HTC One M7 replace a Bluetooth speaker?
It can handle spontaneous music or video for a small group, but its age and battery limitations make a dedicated speaker better for long sessions or fuller bass.
What is the phone with the giant speaker on the back?
The ZTE Nubia Music 2 is a newer budget example with an oversized rear speaker, DTS:X Ultra and a 2.1-channel setup.
Quick Recap
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